It's the darkest time of the year, but the holidays are coming, and the Capital Region is ready.
ALBANY
On Dec. 2, the City of Albany will host its annual tree lighting from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will feature holiday songs by Albany High School chorus students and cookies baked by Albany High culinary students. The event will be held in Academy Park (across from City Hall) at 5 p.m. Free doughnuts, hot cider, coffee, and cocoa, and free holiday crafts.
BALLSTON SPA
Join the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association for its annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting taking place on Friday, December 2nd on Milton Avenue. The parade steps-off at 6:30pm on the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the back of an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the tree in Wiswall Park.
BENNINGTON, Vt.
The community tree will be lit in the front yard of the Vermont Veterans’ Home, December 7 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The tree will have over 2,000 feet of energy efficient lights. Also featured will be the Mount Anthony Union High School choir, hot chocolate, keynote dignitaries, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
BETHLEHEM
Bethlehem will celebrate its tree lighting with a visit from Santa. The event will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4:45 p.m., at Delmar Four Corners.
COHOES
The City of Cohoes Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 26th from 5:00pm-7:00pm in Silliman Park. Join us for this FREE fun event for the entire family with music, gifts and a visit from Santa! Cohoes Residents 18 and under can register to win gifts (proof of residency is required). Must be accompanied by a parent and present to win!
FORT EDWARD
The public is invited to come out and enjoy the Fort Edward Community Tree Lighting! Saturday, November 26th @ 6:00pm @ the Canal St. Marketplace behind the Fire Department You never know who may drop by, like the man himself Santa Claus!
LENOX, Mass.
This December, the town of Lenox will hold its annual Lenox Winterland which will include a Tree Lighting in Lilac Park, the 2nd Annual Jolly Poker Run and Restaurant Walk, the Lenox Student Art Show, and an Artist’s Holiday Market at Ventfort Hall. Winterland kicks off on Friday, December 2nd with the tree lighting in Lilac Park. The Lenox Community Center Chorus will sing at 5:45 pm. The tree Lighting will be at 6 pm, followed by visits with Santa and a photo op in the Gazebo. Little ones can bring their letter to Santa. For more general information or to register for the Jolly Poker Run or Restaurant Walk, go to https://lenox.org/lenoxwinterland/
LOUDONVILLE
The Greater Loudonville Association’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting will be held on November 27, 2022 at 4 pm at the Loudon Green Park, at the corner of Route 9 and Menand Road. The event will be hosting a toy drive for Toys for Tots as well as featuring holiday music and a special guest appearance. For more information go to https://www.greaterloudonville.org/.
MANCHESTER, Vt.
The Community Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the holiday season at the Factory Point Town Green on November 30th from 6pm- 6:30pm. During this ceremony, the giant Christmas tree will be lit along with a bunch of other Christmas lights throughout the town.
NEW YORK STATE HOLIDAY TREES
Donated trees will be placed on the Empire State Plaza, and in East Capitol Park. Lights will be turned on at the New York State Tree Lighting and Fireworks celebration presented by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York on Sunday, December 4, from noon to 8 p.m. The free tree-lighting event will feature live music, ice-skating performances, and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting and fireworks will begin at 5:15 p.m.
PITTSFIELD, Mass.
The city of Pittsfield’s Community Development Recreation Program announces the return of the in-person Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. The ceremony is included in Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s Festive Frolic event lineup. Before the tree lighting, patrons can head to another Festive Frolic happening, the free hot chocolate bar and photo booth, hosted by Otto’s Kitchen and Comfort at 95 East St., from 5-7 p.m. At 5:45 p.m., the Taconic High School Chorus will perform a variety of carols, followed by a performance by the Berkshire Hills Chorus during the lighting of the tree. A visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus will close out the ceremony. Those planning to attend are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Christian Center’s food pantry. For a complete schedule of Festive Frolic events, visit downtownpittsfield.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS
The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association presents the 36th Annual Victorian Streetwalk Weekend, starring American Idol Finalist Madison VanDenburg, performing during the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa Claus. The Saratoga DBA is merging old and new elements for the Victorian Streetwalk Weekend, starting with closing Broadway from Spring Street to Lake Avenue from 6:00-9:00 PM on Thursday, December 1st for a traditional Victorian Streetwalk evening with a live performance from VanDenburg. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet the community and light a 27-foot Holiday Tree. The main stage, cottage and tree will all be located near Putnam Market, located at 431 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. For a full itinerary of events head to the Saratoga DBA website: www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com.
STEPHENTOWN
Come on out for the Stephentown Lighted Parade & Tree Lighting, Saturday at 5:30 p.m., at Stephentown Fire Hall, 35 Grange Hall Rd.
WARRENSBURGH
As part of the community's Old Fashioned Christmas weekend, Warrensburgh will host its Christmas tree lighting Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Bandstand. Tree Trimming by area Girl Scouts, In the Zone Students and First Baptist Church Awanas, Welcome by Town Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, Blessing by Rev. Thomas J. Pettigrew of Holy Cross Episcopal Church Music and Caroling by the Warrensburg Elementary Choir and members of the WJSHS Band. Santa will arrive and the tree will be lit. Hot Chocolate & Cookies by Sulla Terra. Santa Hat & Candy Cane Giveaway by TD Bank.
WATERVLIET
Watervliet is again holding its annual tree lighting on Saturday November 26 at 5pm at the Veterans Memorial Park, adjacent to the McDonalds on 16th & 2nd Ave. The tree is expected to be lit at 5:20 to be immediately followed by the arrival of Santa. There will be refreshments, soup, cookies. The city will again follow the tradition of giving out a city ornament. In addition, Michelle and Dave Boisclair, owners of C&D Stump & Tree Removal, have offered to donate 100 turkeys, on a first-come, first-served basis.
We will add more events as we learn about them.